BLACKCAPS seeks season-ending victory

Posted Friday, 5 May, 2006 in International News

The BLACKCAPS return to South Africa’s high veldt seeking victory in the third Test against South Africa at Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium to take a share of their season-ending series.The Proteas lead the series 1-0 after a 128-run win in nearby Centurion, although the teams shared the spoils of a high-scoring draw in the second Test at Cape Town.

Hamish Marshall remains unavailable for selection after hip and rib injuries from the first test.

Marshall made his Test debut at Johannesburg five-and-a-half years ago, making 40 after replacing Craig Spearman.

State Canterbury Wizards duo Michael Papps and Peter Fulton are likely to repeat their opening partnership, and the seamer-friendly pitch at the Wanderers means a recall is likely for Kyle Mills.

The two previous Tests on the tour of the Republic have seen vast contrast in the pitch conditions.

The first Test at Centurion saw an unpredictable pitch which aided bowlers, with home pacemen Makhaya Ntini (10 for 145) and Dale Steyn (seven for 142) benefiting.

The Newlands pitch for the second Test had little in it for either pace or spin attack, with Stephen Fleming, with a ground record 262, capitalising on a track which yielded over 1100 runs from each team’s first innings.